Photo by: Mike Baird
Living History characters - Spooner Ranch House - Montana de Oro State Park. From Left to Right - Debi Dismer as Mrs. Calloway, Earline Ferrell as Mrs. Baxter, Phoebe Adams as Mrs. Thompson, Rosemary Thorne as Mrs. Thorne, Joyce Cory as Mrs. McAbee.
Photo by: Mike Baird Spooner Ranch House - Montaña de Oro State Park - Living History character: Mrs. McAbee, played by Joyce Cory
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Get Involved
California State Parks is looking for a few actors and actresses interested in portraying the ranching and/or Native American history of Montana de Oro State Park.
The Docent group at that park has been conducting Living History, in which individuals research the lives of persons living in the late 1800s-early 1900s, dress in period costume, and give presentations - alone or in groups - to portray those characters or fictitious ones who have characteristics of actual historic figures. Our group of volunteer Living History Docents has decided to retire, but will be available to coach and advise new volunteers. To the extent possible, we use historic accounts, local histories, letters, newspaper clippings, historic photographs, and other historic archives to create as authentic an experience as possible. We hope to offer presentations at least one day a month, and two days would be better. Schedule is negotiable.
Options are open at this point. You could:
*Present in first-person, as a real or fictitious (but based on fact) figure, speaking about that person's life as if it were your own.
*Present in third-person, speaking generally about life in the historic period represented (for example, as a ranch hand or houseworker).
*Recreate a real or fictitious Native American person from any period prior to the present, and especially in or prior to the ranching period.
*Recreate a real or fictitious ranching person from the late 1800s-early 1900s.
*Continue one of the current Living History characters if this piques your interest.
Skills in costume and/or clothing-making are helpful, but not essential. Funding may be available to help defray the cost of period costumes and/or artifact replicas. For further information, please contact:
George Wright, Montana de Oro Docent Chair, Joyce Cory, Montana de Oro Living History Chair, or Rouvaishyana, Manager, Morro Bay Museum of Natural History
We look forward to meeting you and working with you to continue this very effective approach to teaching history to State Park visitors.
100+ Women Who Care
(Interested in Starting a Coastal Branch?)
Everyone has been touched by the recent economy. Particularly hard hit are the local non-profit organizations with decreasing funds and donations but increasing needs for services and resources. One group having a positive affect in our county is the 100+ Women Who Care. This group is about local people helping local charities. It is quite a simple idea and it is very powerful as more and more people seek help from the county's non-profit organizations and charities. They don't run garage sales, wash cars, or knock on doors. It's very easy - meet, choose a charitable group from the county, and each woman writes a tax deductible $100 check to that group.
"This is a fabulous group of ladies. Even though all of us have been negatively affected by this down economy, our members are now more determined to make a difference in our county. There are so many local worthy organizations thqt we can help," said Cathie Orrick. "It is very empowering to realize our group's potential is huge in helping local non-profits. "
Their power is in numbers. "When our membership reaches 100," explains member Kathi Hanauer, "we'll be putting $10,000 into our community, and all it takes is half an hour and the ability to write a $100 check."
The more women become involved in the group, the more money they have to donate. Not only do they hope word of their group will spread throughout the San Luis Obispo area, but they hope this idea will inspire others to start chapters in other counties. They are currently the only California chapter.
The group meets bi-annually, the second Tuesday in March and November. They have made contributions to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter, and the Atascadero Community Link. If you would like to become part of this dynamic women's organization, contact Cathie Orrick at 805-226-2822 or e-mail her at Hundred Women Who Care.
We invite local, non-profit groups to send information about themselves and volunteer opportunities in the Los Osos to Cambria area. Send your submission to Judy Sullivan before the 25th of the month with the subject line: Get Involved Listing Request.
We reserve the right to decline any request we receive. Material we find offensive in any way will not be published.
Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash |
